We are in California for a few days, on little Balboa Island, visiting my brother and sister-in-law, getting a little R & R and will do some business in Beverly Hills on Tuesday before heading back east. It is so darn pretty here, I have to pinch myself. We arrived last Thursday and every day is more gorgeous than the last. We reached 80 degrees yesterday, over 80 today. The lyric – “It never rains in Southern California…” keeps on going through my head. This warm sunshine is a very, very welcome relief, after the constant wearing of long underwear, rubber boots and two sweaters with at least one being a turtleneck every single day, back in NYC.
We’ve gone for local walks visiting friends, long bike rides, and hiking in a state park.
Here’s my husband “hiking”
They’ve cooked fantastic meals and we had a wonderful dinner out last night. Just to share with you, here’s our lunch from yesterday. 
Seared sesame crusted tuna on a salad with raw beets and sugar snap peas. 
And our breakfast from this morning – sunny side up eggs on a bed of frisee with bacon, finished with a tomatillo sauce. But tonight I will cook. So we went to the farmers market yesterday morning. 
You know you’re in California when you see the most gorgeous heads of lettuce all lined up, all perfect and 
so green and fresh along with the largest array of succulents I’ve ever seen. Just look at how pretty they are! We got some great local corn chips and homemade tomatillo salsa to start our evening. I also bought some burrata and buffalo mozzarella from the nicest Italian man, to serve with beautiful tomatoes and basil.
Take a look at this squash. I’ve never seen anything like them before. I’m going to make a mustard coated chicken and I’m going to grill these little babies with some radishes tossed with some olive oil and salt and pepper. Aren’t they just too cute?!! Some fingerling potatoes will be roasted and we’re going to have a rockin’ good time tonight as my brother Steve has, as usual, picked out some stellar wines to serve with all. Stop in to his wine pairing blog to know what you should serve with your meals.
Newport Beach
May warm weather shine upon you soon, wherever you are!!
Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches
Freekeh Salad
Eggplant Tarts Make a Great Tuscan Starter Dish
Cumin and Mustard Roasted Chicken with Fruit
Country Style Pork Spare Ribs with Just Cook Herbed Coffee Rub
I love CA – north or south. We grow those little squash here also. I can never figure out what to do with them. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Enjoy wonderful California.
Jovina
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Italian Treasures – The Stradivarius Violin
Hi Jovina! I just tossed them with some radishes, olive oil and salt and pepper and grilled them in a grill basket and they were so delicious!! Simple and sweet.
I’ll have to try that. Thanks Mary.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Easy “Skillet” Dinners
Picturesque scenery, wonderful weather, delightful foodstuffs, horribly envious.
I know… we don’t want to leave. Another storm is coming on Wednesday, right?
…love that place. Lucky you! 🙂 ela
I know!!! We’re totally lucky!
Oh my, I love southern California too. I will have to remember how to ‘hike’ that way !
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…In My Kitchen, March 2014
LOL – you and my husband! He skis that way too!
The tuna!
Why is it that when I want to comment on your posts, I have to fill out all my information each time? I’m so lazy I know but it is annoying and I do like your blog.
Hi Rosemary – Thank you so much for taking the time and so sorry for your troubles with commenting. I’m looking into this to try to make it easier for you. Yes, the tuna was divine!
ENJOY!
FOOD WEATHER FAMILY ….ALL GOOD
M
Definitely ALL GOOD!
As I sit here shivering with multiple layers on in NYC I so envy your beautiful California trip, the beaches, the warmth the food. Lucky you!
apuginthekitchen recently posted…Blueberry Muffins
I know – we are so lucky!!
So lovely for you to get some R&R in that beautiful California sunshine! It all sounds rather idyllic… the food especially! 🙂
Margot | Gather and Graze recently posted…Enlighten 2014 – Canberra, Australia
Thank you Margot. It is idyllic – and my brother and sister-in-law’s food, wine and hospitality can’t be beat! They are awesome!!
Can’t think of a nice place to be than Southern Cal right now! Must be so wonderful to have some time in the sun and gorgeous weather.
tinywhitecottage recently posted…spice crusted carrots with harissa yogurt
Totally!! Every day has been warm and gorgeous!!
Such a wonderful place and escape from the weather. Warm breezes, plenty of sun, fine food. And you’re returning home? Really? With a storm moving in tonight, you’d have had to drag me, kicking and screaming, away from there. 🙂
ChgoJohn recently posted…Gluten-Free Chocolate Torte
I know – we’ve got the storm coming tonight! Maybe we’ll all move there, right?
I would love to visit CA too!
That plate of tuna…simply heavenly! Thank you for sharing, Mary.
Angie
Angie (@angiesrecipess) recently posted…Seeded Sourdough Emmer Soda Bread
Angie – the tuna was divine – along with all the meals Steve and Trish serve!
I sure like your husbands way of hiking! I do a lot of hiking then 🙂 Beautiful photos of California, and the food looks great!
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted…Sweet Potato and Ground Beef Phyllo Cigars
Heh heh Nazneen!! And you live in beautiful Colorado! The food was all great!!
Beautiful photos Mary Frances! Glad you had such a lovely time in So Cali! We found that in the winter and spring the weather is so much more glorious then in the foggy summer. Love your husband’s idea of hiking:)
J+C
Judit + Corina recently posted…Wine Poached Pear Meringue Tart
Glorious is the perfect word to describe the weather – every single day! Many people like Steve’s idea of hiking!! It’s his way of skiing too!